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    Away Day Parent

    Under 13s Football

    11–12 years old · 11v11 format · Game Understanding — full pitch awareness, role specialisation, set-piece routines

    By the Away Day Parent editorial team · Last reviewed · Editorial process

    Under 13s rules in brief: U13 football is played 11v11 on a 90×55 yards pitch with a Size 4 ball, 35-minute halves, and full offside law.

    What are the Under 13s rules? U13 format at a glance

    Format
    11v11
    Pitch size
    90×55 yards (82×50 m)
    Goal size
    21×7 ft
    Ball size
    Size 4
    Match length
    35-minute halves (70 mins total)
    Offside
    Full offside applies
    Retreat line
    No
    Heading allowed
    Yes (with FA limits)

    U13 key facts

    • U13 is played 11v11 on a 90×55 yards (82×50 m).
    • Matches are 35-minute halves (70 mins total), with a Size 4 ball.
    • U13 uses full offside law.
    • Heading is permitted in matches, with FA limits on training at U13.

    Source: The Football Association.

    Under 13s — what to expect

    U13 is the step up to 11v11 on a near-adult pitch. Ball remains Size 4. FA heading guidelines permit up to 1 session per week with a maximum 5 headers per player per session. This is the typical age for academy scouts to start serious assessment.

    The FA's development phase for Under 13s is Game Understanding — full pitch awareness, role specialisation, set-piece routines. That means training sessions should weight ball mastery, decision-making, and enjoyment over tactical complexity, with progressively more game-realistic small-sided practices as players move through the season.

    Season & bank holidays (England & Wales)

    Upcoming bank holidays can affect fixtures and training — check with your club before travelling.

    • Fri, 25 Dec 2026 — Christmas Day
    • Mon, 28 Dec 2026 — Boxing Day
    • Fri, 1 Jan 2027 — New Year’s Day
    • Fri, 26 Mar 2027 — Good Friday

    For parents of Under 13s

    If this is your child's first season at U13, start with our first match guide covering kit, arrival times, and matchday etiquette, and our kit checklist for what they actually need. The U13 11v11 format is explained alongside every other stage in our football formats guide.

    Common questions at U13: how much should my child train each week? When should I let them play in goal? What if they aren't enjoying it? See our advice hub and FAQ for age-appropriate guidance.

    Find U13 football near you

    Clubs offering U13

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    Leagues catering for U13

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    Pathway from U13

    How U13 fits into the FA development pathway to senior football.

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    Under 14s

    11v11 · Game Understanding into Performance — strength on the ball, defensive 1v1 mastery